VISA FOR THAILAND

WE ARE PLANNING TO STAY IN THAILAND FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.POSSIBLY A YEAR. WE ARE DOING HUMANITARIAN VOLUNTEER WORK AND IT WILL BE WITH REFUGEES AT THE BORDER WHICH THE THAI GOVERNMENT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE. WE ARE NOT TO LET THE CONSULATE KNOW THAT WE WILL BE WORKING WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

DOES ANY ONE HAVE A SUGGESTION HOW TO GET A VISA FOR MORE THAN 3 MONTHS? IS ANYONE FAMILIAR WITH A NON-IMMIGRANT VISA?THANK YOU.

If you are a missionary you can get a religious visa for 1 year. You will need a letter from your church or Org. showing you are being sponsored and have enough money for the full year. You will also need an address in Thailand. If you know a registered church or Org. in Thailand they will help you.

Hmmm.. the visa run to the border seems to be a reasonable answer to your problem, but I am concerned about your plan.

From what I read, you seem to be intent on doing something that the Thai Government specifically does not want you to do. I would strongly caution you that your deliberate defiance of the government will be treated much more harshly than you may be accustomed to in your native country.

Civil treatment from security forces should not be expected just because you are attempting Noble Work. The Thai government takes particularly aggressive action when it's Authority is being challenged, especially by non-citizens. I strongly suggest that you consider what will happen if you are discovered (and you will be)- - providing unauthorized services to immigrant nationals on the country's frontiers. You should really find a more legal way to provide humanitarian assistance.

Be careful!Voluntry work is still work and in breach of your visa. you will be locked up and then deported, and and your treatment may not be very civil if you are doing something the government has specifically forbidden. even people working for Tsunami victims needed permits.